Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday.
Rodri underwent surgery for the injury earlier on Friday, Guardiola said.
“Surgery this morning, ACL and next season he will be here. This season is over,” Guardiola told reporters. “Unfortunately we got the worst but these things happen. We will be there to support him in his recovery step-by-step.
“What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player. But the others can all together replace what Rodri has given since his arrival to us.”
The Spaniard injured his right knee during the team’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday. City top the table on 13 points ahead of Saturday’s clash at Newcastle United.
In Bruno’s defence
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has jumped to the defence of captain Bruno Fernandes after the midfielder’s slow start to the season, saying it is only a matter of time before the Portugal international returns to his best. Fernandes has one assist and has yet to score in this campaign.
Ten Hag was asked if the 30-year-old is fatigued after a gruelling last season in which he played over 4,000 minutes for United before representing his country at Euro 2024.
“I think he is capable and he has proven already, so many times in the Premier League, he can create many chances,” Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Sunday’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur. “I am convinced he will not do differently. He will find his form.”
Alisson set to return
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson will be available for Saturday’s game at Wolverhampton Wanderers, said manager Arne Slot who was quick to praise his replacement Caoimhin Kelleher and the enviable depth of his squad overall.
Kelleher played in Liverpool’s 3-0 league win over Bournemouth last weekend and Wednesday’s 5-1 League Cup third-round thrashing of West Ham United while Alisson recovered from a muscle injury.
“We think he is ready to return,” Slot said of the Brazilian. “He trained yesterday (Thursday) for part of our session. “We’re happy, but I want to emphasise we did really well with the two games with (Kelleher).”
